AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi announced on Friday, 3 July 2026, that Hyderabad's four historic gateways — locally known as kamaan — are set for repair and restoration after the government granted administrative sanction for tenders and the appointment of a consultant for the work.

Context

The four gateways, collectively known as the Char Kaman, are arched structures encircling the Charminar precinct in Hyderabad's old city. Built during the Qutb Shahi period — spanning roughly the 16th to 17th centuries — they form a defining part of the old city's ceremonial and architectural heritage. Owaisi, who represents the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency, frequently raises local civic and heritage concerns and welcomed the administrative sanction as a step forward for the precinct.

In his post, Owaisi wrote: 'Happy to share that Hyderabad's four gateways (kamaan) will soon be repaired and restored. The govt has granted administrative sanction for tenders and to appoint a consultant for the work.'

Policy Backdrop

The Telangana government's archaeology and museums department has periodically issued administrative sanctions for structural repairs of Qutb Shahi-era monuments since the state's formation in 2014. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) carried out earlier phases of gateway and arch restoration around Charminar under urban renewal programmes through the 2010s.

At the central level, the HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) scheme supported documentation and structural conservation works in Hyderabad, complementing state-level efforts. The current sanction follows that established pattern: administrative approval triggers a formal tendering process, after which a technical consultant is appointed to prepare detailed project reports and supervise execution.

Stakeholders and Impact

Residents of the old city, heritage conservationists, and local traders operating in the dense commercial lanes around Charminar stand to benefit most directly from the restoration. The Char Kaman gateways are also a significant draw for domestic and international tourists visiting the precinct, meaning their improved condition could support local livelihoods tied to heritage tourism.

Conservation experts have long flagged the need for periodic structural intervention on these centuries-old masonry structures, which are exposed to traffic vibration, moisture ingress, and general urban wear. An officially appointed consultant will be expected to assess the condition of each gateway and recommend appropriate conservation methodology in line with established heritage norms.

What's Next

The immediate next steps involve the publication of a formal tender notice and the selection and appointment of a qualified conservation consultant. Once the consultant submits a detailed project report, the executing agency — likely the state archaeology department or the GHMC — will finalise cost estimates and a project timeline before physical works begin.

The pace at which the tender and consultant appointment proceed will determine when restoration work on the ground actually starts. Heritage advocates and old-city residents will be watching closely to ensure the process moves without prolonged delays, as has sometimes been the case with earlier conservation cycles in the precinct.